Interpolymers, method of preparing the same and emulsions thereof, and metal cans coated with the interpolymers

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a novel method of preparing aqueous polymeric colloids comprising the steps of (a) polymerization in organic solvent at high concentration of the monomers (b) emulsification of the resultant polymer solution in water using small proportion of surfactant. The pH of the resulting emulsion is adjusted to 6.5 to 10 with amines. The structure of the polymers in the present invention is highly hydrophobic so that, even at full neutralization of the carboxylic acid groups with amines, it would not produce an aqueous solution. Furthermore, in the absence of surfactant, a stable colloidal emulsion cannot be attained. 
     The aqueous coating composition has satisfactory performance as interior and/or exterior coating for food, beer, beverage and other metal containers. The eulsions can be easily applied by spraying or direct roller coating and baked to give films of outstanding properties.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 715,063, filed Aug. 17, 1976, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the prior art, coating compositions used as interior linings for food, beer and beverage metal containers, generally epoxy and vinyl chloride -- vinyl acetate copolymers, were applied from organic solvents. However, due to air pollution regulations and solvent shortage problems, effort is being expended towards developing new coatings compositions which can be applied from water containing blends and such compositions have satisfactory performance as interior linings for food, beer and beverage metal containers. The amount of volatile organic solvent in the blend should be no more than 20% by volume.

Accordingly, the principal objectives of the present invention are to

(1) Provide such new coating compositions;

(2) Provide a new method of preparing such coating compositions which overcomes certain deficiencies of aqueous polymeric colloids made by two general methods known in the art as follows:

Method I

Highly carboxylic polymers, synthesized in organic solvents, are transferred in water by partial or full neutralization of the carboxylic groups. Colloidal emulsions are produced by partially neutralizing the acid groups with amines. In order to obtain adequate dispersibility and emulsion stability, the general practice is to incorporate high percentage of carboxylic acid groups in the polymer. Substantial amount of amines is required to neutralize the acid groups. The amine can retard the rate of cure of the film, thereby adversely affecting the quality of the cured film. If sufficient amount of amine is added to fully neutralize the carboxyl groups, an aqueous solution is obtained. This system is generally noted for bubbling or foaming during application, especially with the use of roller coater or airless spray equipment. To suppress the foam, special defoamers such as silicones are incorporated. However, the use of such additive could produce undesirable side effects such as poor adhesion between multiple coatings or poor recoatability of the coated surface. Moreover, over a period of time, the additive could migrate through surfaces with which the coating is in contact. The subsequent contamination of the surface can cause problems such as eyeholing, cratering and the like.

Method II

Polymers synthesized in an aqueous medium in the presence of surfactants by the well known method of emulsion polymerization. The surfactants and other additives used for stabilization of the resultant polymeric colloid tend to reduce water or blush resistance of the cured film. This can be observed when the coated substrate is pasteurized in beer or in water at 160° F. for 1/2 hour. The blush is the degree of milkiness or whitening which occurs in the coating.

In the present invention, the foregoing problems characteristic of the prior art are avoided. The polymers synthesized in organic solvents can be made more hydrophobic than in Method I but, nevertheless, can yield a polymeric colloid in water by surfactant addition. The structure of the polymer in the present invention is highly hydrophobic so that, even at full neutralization of the carboxylic acid group with amines, it would not produce a true solution in water. Furthermore, in the absence of surfactant, a stable colloidal emulsion cannot be attained.

For subsequent emulsification of the polymer solution in water, only a small proportion of emulsifier is required. Although the basic structure of the polymer is highly hydrophobic, the resulting emulsion does not require any post addition of additives usually required by aqueous polymeric colloids prepared by Method II.

Therefore, the unique advantage of the present method to prepare a polymeric colloid in water is that the structure of the copolymers can be made more hydrophobic than those of Method I, and the amount of surfactant required to produce an emulsion is less than in Method II. Thus, the present novel method of coating preparation is better suited for container coatings than aqueous coatings made in the prior art.

In connection with the emulsification of the polymer solution, the surfactant used are preferably anionic and/or nonionic emulsifiers such as octylphenoxyethanol, nonylphenoxyethanol amine polyglycol condensate, ammonium or sodium salt of alkyl aryl polyether sulfanate, ammonium or sodium salt of sulfated alkyl phenoxyethanol and the like. The proportion of emulsifier based on the weight of the polymer is preferably 0.25% to 3% by weight.

The emulsion can be easily applied by spraying or direct roller coating, and the film can be cured by heating at temperatures of approximately 300° F. to 450° F. for 2 to 10 minutes. Such brief heating to produce an insoluble film is adequate for coatings prepared from Type I and Type III polymers described below. However, aqueous compositions of Type II polymers must be prepared with conventional external crosslinkers such as phenolic and amine resins in order to produce an insoluble film under the aforementioned conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The polymers of the present invention have glass transition temperature of about -6° C. to about +30° C. The three different types of polymeric structures embodied in this invention are defined by their contents of monomers as follows:

Type I--Self Reactive Copolymers. Will cure to an insoluble film upon heating.

Composition, by weight

15 to 60 percent of aromatic vinyl monomer preferably styrene.

20 to 50 percent of any long chain acrylate ester monomer can be used; nButyl acrylate, isobutylacrylate and 2 ethyl hexyl acrylate are preferred.

3 to 30 percent of alkoxyalkyl(meth)acrylamide such as isobutyoxy methyl acrylamide.

0 to 12 percent of unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer such as acrylic acid and methacrylic acid monomer. The amount of acid incorporated is adjusted to produce an insoluble polymer in water even at full neutralization of the carboxyl groups with amines. The polymer requires the addition of surfactant to produce a stable emulsion.

Type II--Potentially Reactive Copolymers. Require the addition of external crosslinker such as phenolic and amine resins.

Composition, by weight

15 to 60 percent of aromatic vinyl monomer preferably styrene.

25 to 50 percent of any long chain acrylate ester monomer can be used; nButyl acrylate, isobutylacrylate and 2 ethyl hexyl acrylate are preferred.

3 to 30 percent of hydroxy alkyl ester of an unsaturated carboxylic acid such as 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2 hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxy propyl acrylate and hydroxy propyl methacrylate.

0 to 12 percent of unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer such as acrylic acid and methacrylic acid monomer. The amount of acid incorporated is adjusted to produce an insoluble polymer in water even at full neutralization of the carboxyl groups with amines. The polymer requires the addition of surfactant to produce a stable emulsion.

Type III--Hybrid of Type I and Type II Copolymers. May or may not require external crosslinking depending on the design of the specific polymer composition.

Composition, by weight

15 to 60 percent of aromatic vinyl monomer preferably styrene.

25 to 50 percent of any long chain acrylate ester monomer can be used; nButyl acrylate, isobutylacrylate and 2 ethyl hexyl acrylate are preferred.

3 to 30 percent of alkoxy alkyl(meth)acrylamide such as isobutoxy methyl acrylamide.

3 to 30 percent of hydroxy alkyl ester of an unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer such as 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2 hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxy propyl acrylate and hydroxy propyl methacrylate.

0 to 12 percent of unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer such as acrylic acid and methacrylic acid monomer. The amount of acid incorporated is adjusted to produce an insoluble polymer in water even at full neutralization of the carboxyl groups with amines. The polymer requires the addition of surfactant to produce a stable emulsion.

The free radical initiator for the polymerization is any conventional one such as benzoyl peroxide test-butyl perbenzoate, test-butyl peracetate, cumene hydroperoxide and the like.

Solvents preferred for use in the invention are hydrophobic ones such as ketones, hydrocarbons, esters and long chain monohydric aliphatic alcohols. A combination of hydrophobic and hydrophilic solvents is also satisfactory.

The polymerization is carried out in the desired solvent or solvent combination and at high monomer concentration, preferably about 60 percent to about 80 percent by weight based on the total weight of polymerization solution. The proportion of the free radical initiator is about 0.5 percent to about 6 percent by weight based on the total weight of the monomers.

Emulsification is carried out by mixing the resultant polymer solution with water and small proportion of surfactant to produce an oil in water emulsion system. The pH of the resulting emulsion is adjusted to 6.5 to 10 with amines.

The invention is illustrated by the following examples, which are given for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as limiting its scope. Parts or percentages are being given on weight basis:

EXAMPLE I IA. Preparation of the Polymer

    ______________________________________                                         Constituents             Parts                                                 ______________________________________                                         Primary Amyl Acetate     25.55                                                 NButanol                 4.50                                                  Benzoyl Peroxide         1.00                                                  Styrene                  33.10                                                 2 Ethyl Hexyl Acrylate   30.34                                                 Isobutoxy Methyl Acrylamide                                                                             4.65                                                  Methacrylic Acid         0.86                                                                           100.00                                                ______________________________________                                    

PROCEDURE

Charge solvents to reaction vessel equipped with thermometer inert gas sparge, total condenser, addition funnel and glass or stainless steel agitator. Sparge with inert gas and preheat solvents to 95° C. Mix monomers and benzoyl peroxide initiator together in separate container. Add the premixed items to the reactor vessel with agitation over a period of approximately 4 hours. Continue to react for five additional hours or until conversion to polymer is complete. Cool rapidly to 60° C. Fill off into lined containers.

Viscosity of Polymer Solution = 35,000 cps at 80° F.

IB. Preparation of the Emulsion

    ______________________________________                                         Constituents             Parts                                                 ______________________________________                                         Polymer Solution Prepared                                                      in Part IA               100.0                                                 Anionic Emulsifier       0.3                                                   Deionized Water          140.2                                                 Di Methyl Ethanol Amine  0.5                                                                            241.0                                                 ______________________________________                                    

PROCEDURE

Charge first 2 items into stainless steel container. Mix for 10 minutes. Add deionized water gradually to the container with moderate agitation until conversion occurs. At this point, the remainder of the water is rapidly added. Adjust pH with di methyl ethanol amine.

Physical Constants:

pH = 8.8

Viscosity = 20 secs. at 80° F. #4 Ford Cup

Total Solids = 29.8% by weight

Water/Organic Solvent = 80/20 by volume

EXAMPLE 2 2A. Preparation of the Polymer

    ______________________________________                                         Constituents             Parts                                                 ______________________________________                                         Butyl Cellosolve Acetate 15.00                                                 Xylene                   9.00                                                  Butanol                  6.00                                                  Benzoyl Peroxide         1.00                                                  Styrene                  36.50                                                 nButyl Acrylate          30.50                                                 Isobutyl Methyl Acrylamide                                                                              2.00                                                                           100.00                                                ______________________________________                                    

Use the same polymerization as in Formula IA.

2B. Emulsification of the Polymer

    ______________________________________                                         Constituents            Parts                                                  ______________________________________                                         Polymer Solution                                                               Prepared in Part 2A     100.0                                                  Anionic Emulsifier      0.6                                                    Deionized Water         140.4                                                  Di Methyl Ethanol Amine 0.5                                                                            141.5                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Use the same emulsification procedure as in Formula IB.

Physical Constants:

pH = 9.2

Viscosity = 18 secs. at 80° F. #4 Ford Cup

Total Solids = 30.1% by weight

Water/Organic Solvent = 80/20 by volume

EXAMPLE 3 3A. Preparation of the Polymer

    ______________________________________                                         Constituents             Parts                                                 ______________________________________                                         Xylene                   10.0                                                  Butyl Carbitol Acetate   20.0                                                  Test Butyl Perbenzoate   1.0                                                   Styrene                  27.3                                                  2 Ethyl Hexyl Acrylate   30.4                                                  2 Hydroxy Ethyl Methacrylate                                                                            10.7                                                  Acrylic Acid             9.8                                                                            100.0                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Follow the same polymerization procedure as in Example IA.

3B. Emulsification of the Polymer with Amine Resin added as Crosslinker

    ______________________________________                                         Constituents             Parts                                                 ______________________________________                                         Polymer Solution Prepared                                                      in Part 3A               100.0                                                 Amine Crosslinker                                                              (60% solids)             8.0                                                   Nonionic Emulsifier      2.0                                                   Deionized Water          140.0                                                 Di Methyl Ethanol Amine  0.5                                                                            250.5                                                 ______________________________________                                    

PROCEDURE

Charge first 3 items into stainless steel container. Mix for 10 minutes. Add gradually the deionzed water with agitation until conversion occurs. At this point, the remainder of the water is rapidly added.

Physical Constants:

pH = 9.5

Total Solids = 30.3% by weight

Viscosity = 19 secs. at 80° F. #4 Ford Cup

Water/Organic Solvent = 80/20 by volume

3C. Emulsification of the Polymer with Phenolic Resin added as Crosslinker

    ______________________________________                                         Constituents             Parts                                                 ______________________________________                                         Polymer Solution Prepared                                                      in Part 3A               100.0                                                 Phenolic Resin (50% solids)                                                                             10.0                                                  Anionic Emulsifier       0.6                                                   Deionized Water          150.4                                                 Di Methyl Ethanol Amine  0.5                                                                            261.5                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Use the same emulsification procedure as in Example 3B.

Physical Constants:

pH = 9.2

Viscosity = 18 secs. at 80° F. #4 Ford Cup

Total Solids = 30.5% by weight

Water/Organic Solvent = 80/20 by volume

EXAMPLE 4 4A. Preparation of the Polymer

    ______________________________________                                         Constituents             Parts                                                 ______________________________________                                         Methyl Amyl Alcohol      25.20                                                 Butanol                  4.45                                                  Test Butyl Peracetate                                                          (75% active)             1.40                                                  Styrene                  31.03                                                 2 Ethyl Hexyl Acrylate   27.58                                                 2 Hydroxy Ethyl Acrylate 4.83                                                  Isobutoxy Methyl Acrylamide                                                                             4.13                                                  Methacrylic Acid         1.38                                                                           100.00                                                ______________________________________                                    

4B. Emulsification of the Polymer

    ______________________________________                                         Constituents             Parts                                                 ______________________________________                                         Polymer Solution Prepared                                                      in Part 4A               100.0                                                 Anionic Emulsifier       0.3                                                   Deionized Water          135.2                                                 Di Methyl Ethanol Amine  0.5                                                                            236.0                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Use the same emulsification procedure as in Example IB.

4C. Emulsification of the Polymer with Amine Resin added as Crosslinker

    ______________________________________                                         Constituents             Parts                                                 ______________________________________                                         Polymer Solution Prepared                                                      in Part 4A               100.0                                                 Urea-Formaldehyde Condensate                                                   (60% solids)             6.0                                                   Nonionic Emulsifier      2.0                                                   Deionized Water          140.0                                                 Di Methyl Ethanol Amine  0.5                                                                            248.5                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Use the same emulsification procedure as in Example 3B.

Physical Constants:

pH = 9.5

Viscosity = 20 secs. at 80° F. #4 Ford Cup

Water/Organic Volatile = 80/20 by volume

EVALUATION OF THE EMULSIONS

The preceding aqueous coating compositions were subjected to the following standard tests generally used to evaluate performance of metal container coatings. A commercial solvent based vinyl chloride -- vinyl acetate copolymer was used as control.

1. Intercoat Adhesion

The coating variable is applied on a piece of commercially primed tin free steel at approximately 4 to 5 milligrams per square inch and baked at 320° F. for 5 minutes. The cured coating was scored with a knife edge and the score is then covered with a scotch tape. The area proximate to the score is then examined to determine the amount of coating material which is removed with the scotch tape. The amount of coating material which comes off with the scotch tape is indicative of the adhesion.

2. Blush Resistance

The coated substrate is placed in beer or in water having a temperature of 160° F. for one half hour. The blush of the coating is measured by the degree of milkiness and/or loss of gloss of the film.

3. Flavor Test

The test is designed to determine any change in flavor which may be imparted by the subject coating. It is carried out by placing into a bottle of beer strips of aluminum foil coated on both sides by the coating variable. The bottle is sealed tightly and stored at predetermined temperatures over a period of time and tasted by a flavor panel. The total amount of coating applied on about 40 square inch aluminum foil is usually approximately 200 milligrams and baked at 320° F. for 5 minutes.

4. Turbidity Test

The test measures any change in clarity of the beer which may be imparted by the coating variable. Test specimens are prepared in the same manner as in flavor test. Turbidity is measured using a Mach Turbidity Meter and is expressed in Formazin Turbidity Units (FTU). A value of 15 to 30 FTU is normal for an acceptable bottle of beer.

Results are summarized in the following table.

    ______________________________________                                                                                Blush                                              Turbidity Data                                                                              Flavor  Intercoat                                                                             Resis-                                  Coating Variable                                                                          3 Weeks at 100° F                                                                    Test    Adhesion                                                                              tance                                   ______________________________________                                         Example No. 1B                                                                            20 - 30 FTU  OK      OK     OK                                      Example No. 2B                                                                            20 - 30 FTU  OK      OK     OK                                      Example No. 3B                                                                            20 - 30 FTU  OK      OK     OK                                      Example No. 3C                                                                            20 - 30 FTU  OK      OK     OK                                      Example No. 4B                                                                            20 - 30 FTU  OK      OK     OK                                      Example No. 4C                                                                            20 - 30 FTU  OK      OK     OK                                      Vinyl Control                                                                             20 - 30 FTU  OK      OK     OK                                      ______________________________________                                     

What is claimed is:
 1. Copolymers having glass transition temperature of about -6° C. to about +30° C., containing by weight:15 to 60% of aromatic vinyl monomer 25 to 50% of a long chain acrylate ester monomer 3to 30% of an hydroxyalkyl ester of an unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer 3 to 30% of alkoxyalkyl (meth) acrylamide 0 to 12% of unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer, said acid producing an insoluble polymer in water, and an amount of surfactant to produce a stable emulsion. 